Survey of basic understanding of chemical laboratory workers' towards green laboratory management: a case study in a government sector

Abstract

Green laboratory is a concept that aims to manage laboratories to be safe and sustainable by using resource efficiently and being environmental friendly. To achieve such green practices in an organization, it is undeniable that knowledge and understanding of the human resources of the organization are vital to the development of green laboratories. In this case study, a survey of laboratory workers who work in a governmental unit was conducted to evaluate the basic understanding of the target group on green laboratory concept, the use and management of chemicals and resources in the laboratories, and their opinions toward green laboratory development. The result from the 262 respondents shows that, in general, the workers have basic understanding of principles of green laboratories. However, according to a set of questions regarding the use of chemical and resources in their laboratories, their behaviors seem not to comply with green laboratory practices in some aspects, especially, in managing of chemicals to reduce environmental impacts. Therefore, to develop green laboratories, the organization needs to provide knowledge and deeper understanding on the subject to workers, which may begin with how to manage chemical efficiently. Moreover, the organization shall promote the understanding of green laboratory guidelines and put green lab principles into practices. This in turn will create the human resources that are capable of managing green laboratory which will contribute to the laboratory sustainability of the organization.